Chapter Eight

Cole’s POV

One lunch with two strangers, if it could erase my little scandal, shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. However, being in a relationship with someone, even a fake one, even the most logical option available to me right now, didn’t sit right in my chest.

Statistically, it was hundred percent a win. But there was one variable I couldn’t account for.

Attraction.

Though I had clearly included in the contract that there would be no feelings involved, and though I was ninety-nine percent certain I wouldn’t fall for Riley Brooks, one percent was still enough to crash an entire system.

And that one percent irritated me. Unlike data, human emotions were inconsistent. Irrational. They corrupted judgment. They made people reckless. They couldn’t be trusted.

So instead, I built myself an exit route.

A fail-safe. A way to prove to myself that I tried this option and it simply didn’t work. The video. Allow the kiss video to go viral.

There was no realistic way Riley would agree to that. Not after a single impulsive moment had already detonated her life. Unless she secretly enjoyed attention, there was no chance she’d say yes. Which meant the arrangement would collapse naturally. Problem solved.

Tyler had been kind enough, or annoying enough, to show me the video Riley sent him. Watching it again was a mistake. For a memory that had already lodged itself in my head, replaying it only made it worse.

And then there was the part I kept trying to ignore. The fact that I almost deepened the kiss. I hadn’t felt genuine attraction toward anyone in a very long time. Not since Emilia. And I certainly didn’t want to start now. Especially not with chaos wrapped in auburn hair.

I forced my focus back to the practical benefits of releasing the video. If the clip went public, it would redirect the narrative surrounding me. People were already obsessed with speculation. A believable relationship would bury most of it beneath a newer, cleaner story.

Cole Donovan dating a theatre star. The internet would eat that alive. It would also make our relationship look authentic instead of strategic damage control. And authenticity mattered. Especially now.

Though it would attract attention, and probably more drama than I preferred, it was still a manageable risk. Assuming Riley agreed. Which, judging by the silence from my phone, seemed increasingly unlikely.

It had been almost three hours since I left her at the café with my conditions. I wasn’t sure how I felt about not receiving a text yet. Was this disappointment?

No. Maybe a little. But only because I needed this arrangement to stabilize my situation. Nothing else.

My phone suddenly rang, dragging me out of my thoughts. I reached for it faster than necessary. Only to realize it was Tyler. Who was literally sitting across the room. I groaned while he burst into laughter so violently, he nearly slid off the couch.

“You should’ve seen your face,” he wheezed between laughs, clutching his stomach. “Whose call were you waiting for? You’ve checked your phone like every thirty seconds.”

“I told Riley I’d have lunch with her mom if she accepted my terms.”

“Really?” He straightened immediately. “Wait. What were your terms?”

“She has to agree to post the video of the kiss. I need it public. Among other things.”

Tyler stared at me for a full second before breaking into another fit of laughter.

“Seriously,” he managed, wiping at his eyes. “Are you actually Cole Donovan? Did you think this through?”

I nodded once.

“You realize this is going to bring a ridiculous amount of drama into your life, right?” he asked, suddenly serious.

His ability to switch between idiot and insightful in under a second remained deeply unsettling.

“At least this would be a narrative I control,” I answered quietly.

Even if I wasn’t entirely convinced by my own reasoning. Tyler studied me for a moment before his grin returned.

“I’m here for you if you need me,” he said dramatically. “As your beloved older brother.”

“You’re older by one hour.”

“Still older, kiddo.”

“Don’t call me that.”

I pushed myself off the couch and headed toward my room while Tyler’s laughter followed me down the hallway. As insufferable as he was, he was still the most important person in my life.

And probably the only person who could annoy me this much and still have my complete trust.

---

The cold shower helped clear some of the tension from my head. By the time I got out and changed into sweatpants, my phone lit up again. A message from Riley. Location and time for the lunch. Then another notification. A picture.

Riley stood beside an older woman I assumed was her mother. Same auburn hair, though hers was softer, neater, threaded lightly with silver near the edges. Riley’s blue eyes clearly came from somewhere else because her mother’s were hazel green.

But the resemblance was still obvious. Elegant. Sharp-featured. Beautiful. I frowned slightly. Did I just describe Riley as beautiful? I sent a quick Okay before tossing my phone onto the bed. Tomorrow suddenly felt bigger than it should have.

And I wasn’t entirely certain I was prepared for it.

---

I arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes early. Again. I needed time to mentally prepare myself for whatever tonight was supposed to be. Lateness wasn’t an option.

The restaurant Riley picked sat near the quieter side of campus, popular mostly with couples and students pretending they could afford luxury. Warm amber lights glowed against dark wood walls while soft music drifted through the air beneath the low murmur of conversations.

Candles flickered on every table.

Objectively, it was far too romantic for a dinner involving someone’s mother. But maybe that was the point. Maybe Riley thought atmosphere could make the lie more convincing.

The bell above the entrance chimed softly. I looked up. Riley stepped inside wearing a white shirt tucked into blue jeans and white Converse. Simple. Casual. Still somehow impossible not to notice.

Her eyes swept across the room until they landed on me. Relief visibly softened her features before she hurried over.

“I’m sure I’m not late today,” she said as she reached the table.

“You’re not.”

She slid into the seat across from me, then gave me a quick once-over, from my hair to my outfit, before smiling slightly in approval. Which was mildly annoying. And strangely satisfying.

I may have overthought my appearance. But statistically speaking, mothers trusted men who looked academically responsible. So, I styled my hair properly, wore my glasses, and layered a light blue shirt over a white tee with jeans and clean sneakers.

Nerd presentation. Reliable, safe and effective.

“I think we should go over a few things before my mom gets here,” Riley said, pulling out the same envelope I’d given her yesterday. “But first… I added one tiny detail to the contract.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly before taking it from her. Then immediately regretted opening it. Written boldly beneath the agreement was:

In the presence of my mother, you must answer to Mason.

“What?” The reaction left my mouth before I could stop it.

“I panicked,” she rushed out. “I didn’t know your name at the time and it was the first thing that came to mind.”

“And Mason was the best you could do?”

“What’s wrong with Mason? It’s a perfectly fine name.”

I opened my mouth to argue further when the bell above the entrance chimed again. Riley froze.

“Mom,” she whispered. Instantly, she lunged for the contract.

“Quick, take it off.”

I slipped the papers neatly back into the envelope and slid it into my bag before she could snatch it away. Riley hurried toward the entrance while I stood automatically. Politeness statistically increased approval ratings.

They approached together moments later after exchanging a hug. Mrs. Brooks wore a floral dress that somehow made her look both elegant and intimidating at the same time.

“Mrs. Brooks,” I greeted politely, pulling out her chair.

She smiled immediately.

“Hi, you must be Mason.”

Riley shot me a desperate look.

I smiled and took her offered hand.

“Yes, ma’am. It’s really nice to finally meet you. Riley talks about you all the time.”

Mrs. Brooks’ smile deepened instantly. Across the table, Riley looked mildly horrified. Then impressed. If this arrangement was happening, then I intended to make it believable.

Even if it meant channeling Tyler for one painfully exhausting evening.